Amarillo High Lady Sandies ousted by Duncanville

Friday

Feb 24, 2012 at 10:21 PM

Amarillo High girls coach Jeff Williams was concerned about the balanced offense Duncanville displayed all season in winning all but one of 37 games.

His concern was legit.

Duncanville had four players score in double figures and led by 20 points early in the second quarter on the way to a 60-29 win against Amarillo High in a Region I-5A semifinal Friday night at Wilkerson-Greines Activity Center in Fort Worth.

Duncanville shot 60 percent from the floor and led 34-16 at halftime. The four Duncanville players reaching double figures were Ariel Atkins and Tasia Foman with 12 points each, and Morgan Bolton and Empress Davenport with 11 points each.

"We tried to defend them and get in the gaps and not give them room to penetrate," Williams said. "They just shot the ball so well. They are by far the best team we played all year, and we have played some really good teams this year."

Amarillo High ended its season at 29-7 and reached the regional tournament for the first time in a decade.

"We had 29 wins this year, and this group of seniors fought and battled all year," Williams said. "I couldn't be prouder of a group of girls to get us over the threshold. This is a special group of young ladies. It's tough to say bye."

Duncaville's win set up the Region I championship showdown many had expected from the start of the season.

Irving MacArthur (35-2) defeated Lubbock Coronado 76-62 in the opening semifinal. MacArthur will face Duncanville at 1 p.m. Saturday for a spot in the state tournament.

"We've been wanting MacArthur all year, and they've been wanting us. I think both teams are excited," Duncanville coach Cathy Self-Morgan said. "I think it's going to be the state championship."